Two new cases reported today. May 30--This month, there have been 14 new cases and two deaths in the
municipality of Isla Mujeres. May began with a total of 5 reported
cases, since the first one on April 4th. Now the total is 19 (two new
cases today), with 10 recovered, leaving seven active at this time. #1 is Cases & Deaths daily & #2 is Total Cases daily, in May. There were no deaths in April

May 29--On the new federal "Traffic Light" system for reopening Mexico, Q Roo
remains in the "RED" category...Essential businesses only. This is a
screenshot from today's national press conference, and here's a LINK to
the video (in Spanish)..at the end Dr Gatell expressed optimism for Cancun in
another week or so.

May 29--The municipality of Isla Mujeres remains at 17 reported cases with 2
deaths and 10 recovered, leaving 5 active cases. This is the start of
Week 12, since the first case in Cancun & Q Roo on Friday, 3/13.
The three bar graphics are weekly summaries of new cases and deaths.
The two line graphics are new cases day-by-day with an *asterisk on the
12th when Q.Roo was (first) assigned the RED category (essential
businesses
only) on the traffic light system, with descending cases. Today's
national "Traffic Light" map doesn't include the arrows showing if cases
are increasing, decreasing or stable.

The state law limiting the sale of alcohol to 10a-5p has been extended
thru June 30 in Quintana Roo. The municipal prohibition on alcohol sales in Isla Mujeres is scheduled to end on Monday when it may be purchased for takeaway from stores, between 10a and 5p.

Here's what it says about our island--"Only one passenger is allowed per vehicle. The ferry schedule has been reduced. The passenger ferry has only six routes per day to Puerto Juarez, and passengers must pass through a sanitizing station on either side. The car ferry has just two routes per day, and they are set one hour apart, rendering it impossible for Isla residents to bring their cars to Cancun to do shopping as there is not enough time between the routes to return the same day. The ferry crossing is to be utilized primarily for cargo trucks to bring products to the island."

Here's what it says about our state--Authorities in Quintana Roo have instituted a daily curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The use of face masks in public is mandatory. All businesses are closed except for those deemed essential. Those circulating for essential business must obtain a permit. Those lacking a permit will be stopped by police to verify their purpose of travel. Only one person per family may enter essential businesses. There may be a maximum of two people per personal vehicle. The Quintana Roo governor announced that vehicles with plates from outside states as well as those with provisional plates are not allowed to circulate within the state, unless they are carrying out an essential function and have received a permit from the state to circulate. Additionally, there is a general prohibition on private vehicle circulation on weekends. Alcoholic beverages may be sold only from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 1 to May 31.(Note-this was just extended thru June 30).

In the general information, it warns of health screenings and
temperature checks when arriving in Mexican airports, which could result
in further screening & potential quarantine There are statistics
about the increasing cases, and it says only essential activities &
outings are allowed, that INM is operating in a reduced manner, and
notes schools are closed.. Regarding hotels it says...
"On April
3, Mexican Tourism and Health officials instructed hotels to cancel new
and existing reservations and close for non-essential business.Guests
that require accommodation due to essential business activities are
permitted to stay in hotels with a maximum occupancy of 15 percent and
may be asked to provide an employer letter certifying the nature of
their business. Non-resident foreign citizens currently in hotel
accommodation must begin the process of returning home immediately.
Individuals showing respiratory symptoms will be referred to health
authorities. As a reminder, the U.S. government does not pay for
lodging or other expenses incurred due to travel disruptions abroad."
>>Note--Isla's beaches & parks are closed, restaurants may
only serve takeaway or delivery, and outdoor exercise is considered
non-essential. Yesterday the Mexican government updated its "Traffic
Light" system and Q Roo remains under the "Red" category with essential
services only. The four-color system will be updated weekly. Isla's
municipal government announced yesterday that package alcohol sales will
resume on Monday, 10a-5p (which were prohibited since March
21st).<<

Saturday--From MaraVills Caribe B&B...Second turtle nest this season..it's to the right of David Buoy, below the ledge.

May 29--Alcohol sales resume on Monday (they've been prohibited on the island since March 21st). Like the rest of the state it's 10a to
5p and you'll need to form two lines & keep your distance.

To prepare for a return to the "New Normality" and resumption of tourist activities on the island on June 8, (a date that is dependent on the behavior of the Covid contingency), the City is calling upon the tourism businesses to take measures and prepare guidelines to reactivate the industry safely.
On June 1st, hotels and inns in the municipality may begin taking measures for the entry of staff, with those who begin working preferably being residents of the island. The maximum staff should be 30 percent, in accordance to recommendations from health authorities.
Businesses providing accommodations are encouraged to register for the CPPSIT (Certification in Health Protection and Prevention in Tourist Facilities) from the state government. It is requested that all tourism workers complete the IMSS online course "Recommendations for a safe return to work during Covid-19" which is at this LINK . The City seeks to continue working as a team to mitigate the spread of the virus and thus to take care of the island population and visitors. Photos from the City except my course certification.

This week the municipal department of Civil Protection and the Firefighters were working extra hours to clean the storm drains to prevent flooding. The head of the department urged islanders to stay in their home and to remember that we are facing a pandemic...and to avoid throwing trash in the streets.

TV Isla Mujeres reports that the President's visit to the Isla Mujeres Naval Base on Monday will occur around 11am, recognizing the sailors, particularly the Naval nurses, and health & medical personnel who have been helping confront the pandemic.

In the afternoon, he will inaugurate the start of the construction of the Mayan Train, along the Cancun-Merida highway. He said the events will have a small attendance of less than fifty people, including the reporters, photographers and public servants.

He will attend security meetings in Cancun between 6am and 8am. He concluded by saying he will not be able to receive any petitions, but there will be delegates available who can take them.

A large slider
opens from each of the 3 rooms onto the patio where each has a table
& chairs, hammock & clotheslines. The BBQ is behind the pole,
and the outdoor shower is out of the pic at left.

"Reverse Sunset" (looking east from MVC)

Free
amenities include hammocks,
portable beach
chairs, beach towels,
washer & dryer, loungers, shared bikes, BBQ grill, and safes. Panoramic
views from the
rooftop terrace. Large sliding doors open to a patio &
the white sand backyard-beach, overlooking the Caribbean sea. Downtown
is ~ a mile away; we're on
all four bus routes or flag a $3 taxi. Off street parking. You
can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then return to the quiet
neighborhood of Bachilleres and sleep to the sounds of the sea.. $275/$325/$425 wk $40/50/$65nt Monthly Discounts

Fine
dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the
neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. We provide a list of
links & direction to over 20 eateries within ten minutes walk,
including Mango Cafe, Mike's Pizza,
Brisas, Rosa Sirena, Coco Jaguar, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen
Chuc, and the
large department store-grocery Chedraui & the local craft brewery. Visit marinas, bars, &
beach
clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a
couple villas away at Casa
Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks
away in the village, as well as a
variety of other stores.

Sunset 7:12-7:25pm (beginning vs end of month)Sunrise 6:16--6:05amPainting by Pamela Haase at MVC

Turtles begin mating and nesting
in May. They can be observed mating offshore from Punta Sur
during this
month, and they nest along the eastern beaches. Tortugranja staff and
volunteers gather the eggs and incubate them in the sand in a pen
outside the facility. The Protection season officially begins May 15,
but Tortugranja staff usually begin checking for nests at the beginning of the
month. Three species nest annually in Isla Mujeres, Greens, Loggerheads,
and Hawksbills, and very rarely, a Leatherback will attempt to nest,
but generally the sand isn't sufficiently deep.

The season for swimming with the whale sharks normally begins on May 15th,
which ends annually in mid-September. They congregate and feed on a
'buffet' of plankton and fish eggs from a type of tuna. Rays are also
attracted to the feeding areas. Photos by Tony Garcia

The
Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks before dawn on May 5th, but can be seen
during the early hours (starting ~3a nightly) from mid-April thru
mid-May. The longest "windows" to see them as they near peaking are
the wee hours Friday & Saturday nights, May 1st & 2nd (which are
the mornings of Sat & Sun). They
peak as the moon is approaching fullness. On May 5th it sets at 4:55a,
so will be low on the western horizon, while the radiant point is in the
east. You don't need to focus on the radiant, because you may miss the
meteors that create the longest bright streaks flying across the sky.
This shower is caused by debris from Halley's comet.

During May, the climate changes Although
May is the hottest month in the neighboring state of Yucatan, here on
the coast, the hottest months begin in June. In May the "Perceived
Temperature" (thin line above the others) begins to rise, as the
humidity increases and the rainy season begins as the month progresses.
We've been in dry season since November-December, and late April &
early May are when firefighters are busy across the Peninsula fighting
brush fires. There are ~13+ hours of daylight in May & humidity
increases from 92% to 99% as the month progresses. Water temperatures
are 81-82 degrees.

Source: Weather Spark

Source: Weather Spark

Source: Climates to Travel

A wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation. In Cancún, the chance of a wet day over the course of May is very rapidly increasing, starting the month at 14% and ending it at 36%.
For reference, the year's highest daily chance of a wet day is 52% on September 27, and its lowest chance is 12% on March 22. Source: Weather Spark

Source: Weather Spark

Source: Weather Spark

Friday, May 1 Labor Day Official Holiday with offices closed.

May 3 Dia de la Cruz, a holiday celebrated by construction workers
in Mexico, and is associated with St Helena (Elena in Spanish). Normally, crosses
are placed atop construction projects, and crews take a break to pray
and eat together, with food & drink supplied by the owner.

May 5 "Cinco de Mayo" Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla against the French in 1862.
. May 10 Mother's Day

Sources for Weather Information:LINK to Civil Protection Q Roo weather bulletin (Spanish)LINK to Mexico National Weather Service (Spanish) LINK to satellite images for the Mexico National Weather Service LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation) LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres

On Monday, the "Traffic Light" system begins in Mexico, governing a gradual reopening. The new state-by-state color designations will be announced this weekend. For Quintana Roo, an upgrade to orange is required before tourism can resume, in a restricted manner (on June 8 at the earliest, according to the Governor).

#5-The municipality of Isla Mujeres continues to report a total of 14 positives and one death, and now 9 are recovered, leaving 4 active cases.

Quintana Roo reports 1683 positives with 304 deaths, 174 under study, 866 recovered, 171 hospitalized and 343 in social isolation. Benito Juarez (Cancun) reports 1234 positives, 234 deaths and 662 recuperated. The State Secretary of Health explained that there is one less case for the municipality of Solidaridad (PDC) since yesterday because that patient was determined to be a resident of the municipality of Benito Juarez.

Sunday's sunset, from MVC B&B

Monday's sunset, from MVC B&B

Dawn this morning--

Saturday, May 23--

The municipality of Isla Mujeres remains at 14 reported cases of Covid-19 with 1 death and 7 recovered.
Graphic #1 shows Quintana Roo's New Cases Day by Day for the past
two weeks. On May 12th, Quintana Roo was classified at "RED" (essential
businesses only) with cases trending downward-at that time. The
updated map will be published May 30-31. Graphic #2 shows Isla Mujeres Total Cases in May.
Today, Quintana Roo reports 1579 positives, 289 deaths, 153 under
study, 833 recuperated, 150 hospitalized, and 307 in social isolation.
Benito Juarez (Cancun) reports 1168 positives, 223 deaths, and 655
recovered.

Message from Governor Carlos Joaquin about reopening--Friends: Stages are coming, with different stages for everyone in Quintana Roo, a period that has been complex in other countries of the world, where great uncertainty has also been generated, such as that which is occurring in Quintana Roo, with a large number of doubts and questions .We are all asking ourselves about the way in which we must act in order to reactivate the economy, be able to go out to work and, at the same time, avoid being infected or infecting someone else and causing health problems that could lead to fatal outcomes. The coronavirus is going to be present in the environment, it is not going to go away. There will be different conditions, because the epidemic itself has generated different conditions, but obviously we must live with it. That is why it is very important to continue with preventive measures, hygiene measures, social distancing measures, washing your hands frequently, not touching your face, and not greeting each other, which will be essential to be able to stay isolated from the possibility of getting Covid. . And at the same time, listen and attend to the different instructions that we are providing and that we have been giving in search of the ability to participate when it is possible to do so, according to the different conditions of this plan, and which these plans provide for each of the different sectors of society. It has not been a simple job to be able to take and achieve control of each of these various sectors, to generate protocols, to generate different minimum prevention and security measures that we must have in order to move forward, for the concerns and occupations (preocupaciones & ocupaciones) that currently exist. Take public transport, for example, in which we must respect their capabilities, where we must keep our distance because the consequences of not doing so can be terrible; it can be fatal, as has occurred in other parts of Mexico and in other countries. In other parts of the world, this has caused a rebound, which if it occurs can require us to return to isolation, stop productive activities, go back to where we started and then wait to get back on track so that we can restart with those activities. I am sure that in Quintana Roo we will have the maturity, we will have the discipline, and the commitment to take care of ourselves, to take care of our families, to take care of our people, the most vulnerable groups in society. Take care of them, protect them and prevent them from falling into a situation that can lead them to their deaths. Therefore, we must all work together, we must have that discipline, we must have that commitment, we must increase hygiene measures, we must respect the different measures that exist. If only 30% of the workforce will go out on one day, another 30% the next day, and then the other 30%, surely then we will be respecting each one of the diverse measures that each one of the productive sectors of the state will be generating, to reach these levels. I am encouraging everyone to take care of themselves, that those who have to stay at home, stay at home, that those who have to go to work do so with all the preventive measures that we must have for the good of themselves and their families, and then Quintana Roo can move ahead, reactivating our economy and at the same time taking care to prevent coronavirus or Covid. I am sure that in Quintana Roo, if we all do it this way, if we all take on this commitment to be disciplined, this commitment to employ good hygiene, this commitment that we have been seeing for various days and that now has led us to the possibility of an economic reopening, then I am sure that Together We Will Move Forward. Thank youLINK TO SOURCE

In an interview, Governor Carlos Joaquin spoke about relaxation of
measures that have occurred in some municipalities noting that during
the second week in May, there was a 40% increase in cases in the
municipality of Benito Juarez (Cancun) and an increase of over 120
percent in OPB (Chetumal). He said there is no reason why students or
teachers should be seen in the streets. He said although some activities
and sectors may soon be able to return to work, in general people
should stay at home. He said care must be taken, because if there is a
rebound of Covid-29 from not abiding by the measures, this will cause
mistrust on a national level. He said that unfortunately, we will have
to live with the virus, and therefore we must all use preventative
measures and learn to return to a new normality.

Stricter checkpoints on Isla Mujeres, because the high phase of coronavirus infections continues

Saturday, May 23-- In order to safeguard island families, the City continues to implement checkpoints at various points in the municipality and has intensified safety and security protocols. The municipal Chief of Police, Jaime Ongay Ortiz, emphasized that this is not yet the time to leave social isolation. They are seeking to contain the spread of COvid-19 among island families, with checkpoints to inhibit unnecessary outings and to contribute to prevention of the spreading of the virus. He said, "We are reinforcing checkpoints and inviting everyone to stay in their homes, because we are still in the high stage of infections and we must follow social distancing."

Since construction was designated as an essential activity starting on June 1st, construction sites are expected to gradually reactivate, with strict health protocols. The Mayor of Isla Mujeres, Juan Carrillo Soberanis, is working with the state government in planning protocols to adopt health safety guidelines in the work environment. The municipal Director of Urban Development and the Environment said that construction works will be reopened gradually and must comply with the security protocols determined by the state and federal governments, in order to open and operate. HE said it will be the large scale works that will restart, as long as they comply with the guidelines for the implementation of strategies to protect the health of the workers and everyone in general. These days prior to June 1st are important for planning and preparation. (Second & third photos are from the mainland part of the municipality.)

The Tortugranja has protected 26 nests so far this season with a total of 3118 eggs as follows--5 Hawksbill nests with 663 eggs, 11 Loggerhead nests with 1369 eggs and 10 Green nests with 1086 eggs. Monitoring of the nesting beaches began on April 15th, and the night surveillance by the Tortugranja staff is assisted by the municipal Police, Civil Protection, volunteers and the National Guard.

This photo is from last season

VIDEO of green turtles (Isla's most common) mating offshore, with caption explaining that then the female will
lay her eggs on the beach in about two weeks, and multiple times during
the season (which concludes in October). There is a reminder not to
touch them, don't use flash, and don't consume turtle eggs, meat, or
products made from them.

From the DIF, social service agency--With the commitment to helping island families, we
will be providing support with medicines that are currently in the
dispensary, to people who need them in these moments of contingency.

The second distribution of governmental food assistance house-by-house was concluded in Isla Mujeres & involved the collaboration of about 100 state and municipal workers.

20% discount on property fees with no surcharges for missed payments in April, May or June.

Commercial fishing activity will be gradually reactivated June 19, because it will be considered an essential activity after the conclusion of the National Program of Healthy Distancing, which was put in place to combat Covid-19. Boats may not carry more than four fishermen.
It is noted that the municipal government has been supporting the fishing community by purchasing 60 kilos of seafood twice a week, since the Harbor Master has allowed the continuation of coastal fishing by the commercial fishermen. (The seafood feeds police officers who are quartered on the island, and normally reside in Cancun.)
The Director of Fishing Promotion, Policarpo Pastrana Protillo said, "Until today the fishing sector has remained free of Covid-19, fishermen have followed hygiene measures such as the use
of antibacterial gel, wearing face masks and frequent cleaning of the
boats themselves, as well as reducing the number of people in the boats." He added, "Fishermen have been acting responsibly, they know
they handle food products; everyone must continue taking hygiene
measures, and it is important to abide by and redouble measures to
prevent contagion of coronavirus."

To return to normality, it is important to continue following the hygiene recommendations.

May 25--Isla Mujeres municipality continues to report 14 cases with 1 death and 7 recuperated.

May 24 Sunday...The municipality of Isla Mujeres continues to report 14 positives with 1
death and 7 recuperated. The state of Quintana Roo reports 1609
positives, 291 deaths, 150 under study, 842 recuperated, 160
hospitalized and 316 in social isolation. Benito Juarez (Cancun) reports
1186 positives, 223 deaths and 655 recuperated. The graphic
shows Q Roo's new cases each day this month. On May 12th, the federal
government designated our state as "RED" with descending cases in the
Traffic Light System, which goes into effect June 1st. The states will
received a new designation next weekend and weekly thereafter. Only
essential businesses may operate in the Red category, and the state
needs to be upgraded before tourism-related businesses open, in a
reduced manner.

Islanders are concerned about the New Normality given the increased cases in CancunLINK

Tuesday--In the last update, it was reported that there were 40 new cases in 24 hours (in the state of Quintana Roo--of which 29 were in Cancun.) Inhabitants of Isla Mujeres expressed their concern at
the announcement of the return to the "New Normality" because although
many depend on the revival of tourism, the high number of cases
registered in Cancun has put all the affected municipalities on alert.

Now the issue not only concerns those who live directly from tourism,
but also those who in one way or another could be affected by the
arrival of people with the disease.
The return to the new
normality, is a slogan that began last week, when several
hotels and theme parks announced tentative dates to begin operations.
However, the relaxation of safety and hygiene measures in Cancun and
the high number of infections could cause a change in plans."

To save lives, we have to keep part of the population in isolation: Carlos Joaquín LINK May 26.- The Governor said that in upcoming days, when we begin the gradual return to productive activities, everyone must understand clearly that things will be done differently, with hygiene and social distancing measures, to protect people's health and save lives, " said Governor Carlos Joaquín.

Hotels could start receiving guests until June 8; Xcaret until June 15 LINK May 26- The Governor of Quintana Roo explained that, at this time, only primary activities such as agriculture, livestock, beekeeping, fishing, aquaculture and construction are approved. He said that these can be put into operation as long as the preventive measures for each of the activities are complied with to the letter and 100 percent. He said, "We are going to be very disciplined in this scheme. We will be doing review, monitoring and supervising work when these activities begin. There is still no authorization for any others." In the tourism sector there is talk of the possibility of starting the opening of some hotels with 30 percent of their employees for internal activities, but not to receive tourists. The Governor said Carlos that the expectations to receive visitors are reflected in the possibilities of reservations above 40 and 50 points, and that, on the Expedia travel portal, it is reported that the first three most searched for destinations are Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Isla Mujeres as sun and beach vacations, while in terms of searching for flights, Cancun is the fifth place above London. However, the Governor recommended being very careful. He explained that, this week, he will present a plan, together with the businessmen, because obviously the health emergency is not over. "What we have done is flatten the curve and we will have to keep part of the population in isolation. They will not be able to go out to the streets every day, as was done previously,” warned the governor.

Sunday, May 24--VIDEO More than 2000 "pantries" are systematically being delivered,
house-by-house, in a coordinated effort by volunteer groups including Ruben, Feed Isla, Brenda's
Isla Angels, Keys4 Life, Diana Martinez, and others. This is possible
thanks to generous donations from all over the world to help the
islanders while the lack of tourism has left most families without
income for the past two months. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the volunteers & donators!!

A large slider
opens from each of the 3 rooms onto the patio where each has a table
& chairs, hammock & clotheslines. The BBQ is behind the pole,
and the outdoor shower is out of the pic at left.

"Reverse Sunset" (looking east from MVC)

Free
amenities include hammocks,
portable beach
chairs, beach towels,
washer & dryer, loungers, shared bikes, BBQ grill, and safes. Panoramic
views from the
rooftop terrace. Large sliding doors open to a patio &
the white sand backyard-beach, overlooking the Caribbean sea. Downtown
is ~ a mile away; we're on
all four bus routes or flag a $3 taxi. Off street parking. You
can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then return to the quiet
neighborhood of Bachilleres and sleep to the sounds of the sea.. $275/$325/$425 wk $40/50/$65nt Monthly Discounts

Fine
dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the
neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. We provide a list of
links & direction to over 20 eateries within ten minutes walk,
including Mango Cafe, Mike's Pizza,
Brisas, Rosa Sirena, Coco Jaguar, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen
Chuc, and the
large department store-grocery Chedraui & the local craft brewery. Visit marinas, bars, &
beach
clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a
couple villas away at Casa
Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks
away in the village, as well as a
variety of other stores.

Sunset 7:12-7:25pm (beginning vs end of month)Sunrise 6:16--6:05amPainting by Pamela Haase at MVC

Turtles begin mating and nesting
in May. They can be observed mating offshore from Punta Sur
during this
month, and they nest along the eastern beaches. Tortugranja staff and
volunteers gather the eggs and incubate them in the sand in a pen
outside the facility. The Protection season officially begins May 15,
but Tortugranja staff usually begin checking for nests at the beginning of the
month. Three species nest annually in Isla Mujeres, Greens, Loggerheads,
and Hawksbills, and very rarely, a Leatherback will attempt to nest,
but generally the sand isn't sufficiently deep.

The season for swimming with the whale sharks normally begins on May 15th,
which ends annually in mid-September. They congregate and feed on a
'buffet' of plankton and fish eggs from a type of tuna. Rays are also
attracted to the feeding areas. Photos by Tony Garcia

The
Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks before dawn on May 5th, but can be seen
during the early hours (starting ~3a nightly) from mid-April thru
mid-May. The longest "windows" to see them as they near peaking are
the wee hours Friday & Saturday nights, May 1st & 2nd (which are
the mornings of Sat & Sun). They
peak as the moon is approaching fullness. On May 5th it sets at 4:55a,
so will be low on the western horizon, while the radiant point is in the
east. You don't need to focus on the radiant, because you may miss the
meteors that create the longest bright streaks flying across the sky.
This shower is caused by debris from Halley's comet.

During May, the climate changes Although
May is the hottest month in the neighboring state of Yucatan, here on
the coast, the hottest months begin in June. In May the "Perceived
Temperature" (thin line above the others) begins to rise, as the
humidity increases and the rainy season begins as the month progresses.
We've been in dry season since November-December, and late April &
early May are when firefighters are busy across the Peninsula fighting
brush fires. There are ~13+ hours of daylight in May & humidity
increases from 92% to 99% as the month progresses. Water temperatures
are 81-82 degrees.

Source: Weather Spark

Source: Weather Spark

Source: Climates to Travel

A wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation. In Cancún, the chance of a wet day over the course of May is very rapidly increasing, starting the month at 14% and ending it at 36%.
For reference, the year's highest daily chance of a wet day is 52% on September 27, and its lowest chance is 12% on March 22. Source: Weather Spark

Source: Weather Spark

Source: Weather Spark

Friday, May 1 Labor Day Official Holiday with offices closed.

May 3 Dia de la Cruz, a holiday celebrated by construction workers
in Mexico, and is associated with St Helena (Elena in Spanish). Normally, crosses
are placed atop construction projects, and crews take a break to pray
and eat together, with food & drink supplied by the owner.

May 5 "Cinco de Mayo" Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla against the French in 1862.
. May 10 Mother's Day

Sources for Weather Information:LINK to Civil Protection Q Roo weather bulletin (Spanish)LINK to Mexico National Weather Service (Spanish) LINK to satellite images for the Mexico National Weather Service LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation) LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres

MVC B&B Sponsors This Blog

Click on the graphic to visit our website

...

MVC Guests from Ontario wrote...

We have returned to Maravilla Caribe and we consider it to be a gem. Is it a luxurious resort? No. On the other hand, it's the kind of place where you feel comfortable sitting outside with a beer and watching the ocean, reading all afternoon in a hammock or going for a long walk along the shore. To sit on the patio with a plate of fresh fruit and a cup of coffee is my idea of the perfect morning. It's like having your own little private beach cottage - it's not fancy but that's not what we're looking for. A 15 minute walk takes you into the busy little town, full of great little restaurants and shops, and a $3 taxi ride will get you just about anywhere on the island. The landlord is friendly, accommodating and genuinely cares about and knows the local community. For anyone who wants a lavish package vacation, this obviously isn't the place for you - there are plenty of resorts that will fit your needs. Maravilla is a simple, lovely place to get away from it all.

Visits Since June 2011

Taunya from Washington wrote

Hi Ronda,

I want to say thank you again for a fabulous vacation! Your studio was perfect! Having the extra space, kitchenette and dinning table made the space perfect for a long stay. Your little details like coffee filters and ice cube trays made it feel like home. I also really appreciated that you were there if I needed anything, but that you also let me have my space.

Being out of downtown, yet close to everything made the location perfect. Add the beautiful beach and it couldn't have been any better!

Thank you so much! When I return to Isla I will be back on your doorstep. Happy Holidays!

MaraVilla Caribe Bed & Beach Guests Say..

Judy from Ohio wrote...I stayed at Maravilla and absolutely loved it. Beach and patio was kept very clean and since handicapped I would spend the days on patio with my laptop at table right outside my room. Each room had table/chairs in front of room. Not many places on isla you have the beach right outside your door-saves alot of money instead of renting beach chairs and buying drinks downtown. I also do not like crowded beaches and stacks of chairs next to each other as on the north beaches. You hear absolutely no street noise just the waves hitting the shore. There were bikes free to use, beachchairs free to take to downtown, and free washer/dryer to use. The price is excellent value and the owners live there so they do not need to list with an agency giving renters better $ value. Isla is not for everyone. But condo/luxury hotels now line the once beautiful North Beach for those wanting the Cancun version of places to stay, so sad, plus $$$$. I prefer peace,quiet, and great value. Not many places with sunrise/sunset views.

Renee from Toronto wrote...

For some of us, there comes a time when we prefer peace and quiet to hustle and bustle. For a few regrettable years, I got off buses and lined up with the rest of the schmucks to check in for the all inclusive 'experience'. I set the alarm daily to head down with everyone else to make dinner reservations for the pleasure of eating soggy Sushi served by brusque Bahamians. I wore the wristband of shame, identifying me as an easy mark on any excursion. I tipped and cajoled the bartender for extra shots of rum. I listened to the drunken monologues of people who get to cut loose just once a year. With the all inclusive experience, your fate is not entirely your own...

And then I tried something else, the self catering experience - more a case of here's your key, here's your apartment, have fun! Settle in, stock your fridge, stock your bar and you're off to the races. Happy hour is whenever you choose. No lining up at a buffet. Snorkel on your own time. Open a bottle of wine and cook a leisurely dinner - no one's rushing you out for the next seating. Sleep in and eat breakfast when you want, don't worry about the dining room being closed.

That's the experience I prefer these days. And Mara Villa doesn't disappoint. You get exactly what you pay for: a clean and comfortable room with everything you need. The experience is great for people who like to 'do their own thing.' In essence, staying at Mara Villa is like having your own private beachfront villa.

Amenities include good wifi, towels, sheets, dishes, pots and pans, a fridge and freezer, drinking water, hammock hooks, and a clothesline. Bonuses include a patio with tables and chairs, a charcoal BBQ, a beach for watching the sun rise over the water, and a rooftop for watching the sun set over Cancun (also good for star gazing and extreme suntanning).

The local bus passes by the front door and costs 4 pesos to head downtown. A taxi is about $2 into town. Chedraui, the big grocery store, is less than 10 minutes away by foot. Grab a cheap cab home if you've really stocked up.

Ronda is a great host - a storehouse of island information about where to eat and what to do. Bruce, her husband, is an avid snorkeler and can point you in the best direction off their private beach for underwater wildlife. I was lucky enough to see dolphins swimming offshore one day. Close to shore I also saw a barracuda, a sting ray and a pair of graceful Caribbean squid. The usual tropical fish abound as well.

It's worth noting that Mara Villa is located on the east side of the island, windward. The shore is more dramatic and rocky, but there are very few, if any, mosquitos. The west side of the island is calmer and more traditionally 'beachy', but mosquitoes abound at dawn and dusk. With the rocky shore, you need water shoes for entering the water and swimming, but you have the beach all to yourself at Mara Villa. Head to the sublimely Caribbean style North Beach if you miss the crowds.

I spent almost a month at Mara Villa and it was the calm, casual and relaxing experience I craved. I will be back to Mara Villa, but I won't ever go back to an all inclusive.

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Jane C from Penland wrote...

My friend and I just stayed at Maravilla Caribe, December 20-25, 2012 and we had an absolutely wonderful experience. The owner, Ronda made me feel comfortable before I arrived, providing helpful information about travel to the area. She made an extra effort to secure a larger room for us, which was perfect. Maravilla is quaint, charming, clean & comfortable. We loved the bright green color of the house! The kitchenette was simple, clean and well equipped with everything we needed to prepare meals. The beds are very comfortable and Ronda provides lots of clean towels. She even offered to let us use the washer/dryer and bicycles for free! The best part (other than the low cost) is you have your own private beach in the back! It is a beautiful place that I highly recommend.

Carol D from Peterborough wrote.....

Hello I stayed at MaraVilla, la Casa Verde :-), Dec 10 to 20 this 2012 for my first time and would not hesitate to return. This is my 11th year staying on the island and I have stayed at many places. The location is amazing, and the owners have modified the patio doors so that those of us who want to hear the waves all night can do so with security. They were super helpful at every turn and what meant the most to me is that they really care about their guests and are friendly. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch together. The room was spacious and clean. At MaraVilla there are only 3 rooms facing the water so it is peaceful, quiet and private. At MaraVilla, there were workers out painting the house in front and raking the beach and it was well maintained. There were no rocks on the clean tile patio. you do need water shoes to wade in to the water but it is worth it. And if you want to go to a more perfect beach i.e. no reef etc then one could go and pay 150-200+ per night at Playa Norte (but you won't hear the waves from your bed or have the privacy or owners that care about you!!). The bed was comfortable, mattress good, sheets in good shape and clean (more than i can say about the place i had the misfortune of staying in Progresso!!). Honestly you get what you pay for in this world and if you were to go to Tulum, or San Filipe or Progresso you are sure getting much more bang for your buck at MaraVilla in the 50-65 dollar range!!! If you are a 5 star resort person I would say stay at a 5 star resort, but if you enjoy the waves, quiet, privacy and caring owners then stay at this MaraVilla the Casa Verde :-)

Noska from Austin wrote....Maravilla is one of the coolest little spots on the isla.The hosts are awesome,location perfect,rooms are clean and affordable

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Music:

Fayne's has late night live music, starts ~10p

El Patio House of Music on Hidlago has live music evenings, usually HH show 5p, continues at 7p.